A.A.C. cap badge

[wolf76]

I don’t know a thing about ww2 A.A.C. cap badges but I wanted one to go with my glider pilot denison. Opinions are most welcome.

Thanks
Edward

[wolf76]

Back

[lnijherald]

This one is in my opinion the most common replica.

This one is ok, Ade has an identical one:



Cheers, Luc

[Guy]

Grim, leave it alone.

[Diocles]

Striking difference, the head in particular, got stung on ebay for something smiliar. Adam

[wolf76]

Thanks for the info. I guess I’m going to leave it until I get a good one, I found a real one that is sterling and hallmarked to 1942. How much would a sterling badge go for?
Thanks,

Edward

[lnijherald]

Ebay seller armyoutfitters has or recently had a silver one for 500USD but I think that was a bit expensive.

I might be able to get you a genuine wm one, send me a PM if interested.

Luc

[deejay]

AAC badge

Hi all,
today I got a AAC badge just like the one Edward has shown which is presumed to be a reproduction. I bought it as a reproduction.

Comparing it to the original one I own there are minor differences but strangely enough the reproduction has more and nicer detail to it (more detail in the feathers) a very high quality strike in my opinion.

On which base do you say it is a reproduction? Is there any possibility that it is a authentic (maybe even a post-war issued badge?)

Maybe someone can tell us more about this badge and provide us with some more information on different manufacturing features, (something which is common among badges), or was there only one mold and one factory which made these?

By the way notice the grey substance (powder, polish residu?) on the backside of the A on mine and rear of the eagles legs on Edwards? Any clue?
As you noticed I hav lots of questions and keen to learn.

[deejay]

2

[Felix J]

Hi all,

I guess this would be a good topic for me to come in on. I mainly collect AAC/GPR items and have rather a lot of cap badges both war time and post war. Its a bit of a strange subject in terms off what patterns are actually wartime. Other than the obvious plastic economy and the hallmarked officers, I think the one with the hooked beak and the one with the excess metal around it are wartime. Both have the same features to the head of the eagle and other little details, like on the crown. I have both styles in period sweetheart broached, as well as shaped/worn/polished examples, and one of the "excess metal" ones I am 100% with as it came from a friend who served in the GPR. There are other matching details that connect these badges. For example on both types there is more detailed on the jewels at the bottom of the crown, rectangles and ovals. Where on most of the other strikes its just rectangles.

I tend to pick up any cheap aac badges even if restrikes, in order to build up a reference of whats what. I have various different examples which are identical in their features to the one in deejays post. They vary in fixings (lugs or sliders) including stamped gaunt, marples and beasley, and even made of silver, however I always put these down to be postwar re strikes or just plain copies. So the only wm ones I personally am comfortable with are the hook beak and excess metal.

Although I cant be 100% sure that the one in deejays post is post war, my personnel feeling is that they are a postwar strike that may have been worn by a vet or just aged. After all and unfortunately it is not hard for unscrupulous people to age and wear-in a badge.

Also just like to say that I think the forum is great and there is a fantastic wealth of knowledge and info... and you guys have amazing collections and items (yes that includes you Jack )

All the best

Felix

[lnijherald]

Dirk, I think this is a replica. Based on the fact that is it is so incredibly easy to find, it can never be genuine.

I know 2 different wartime patterns that I'm sure about, the one you got from Ronny and the solid silver officers cap badge.
There is a third pattern, plated brass unlike yours, that one shows die flaws and I'm not entirely sure about that one myself although others seem to think it is fine.

Cheers, Luc

[deejay]

Felix & Luc,

thanks for your replies! (Felix: seeing this your first post; welcome to the forum too.)

This topic (British cap badges) is getting more and more interesting each day, besides TR items, there still is so much to learn. Your knowlage, experience and above all your sharing it is what this forum stands for imo making it a great community to be part of.

Personally I would love to see your collections one day. Maybe you could show it on a seperate thread?

[lnijherald]

Dirk, when you look up my public profile you will find a link to my website, most of my collection is shown there.

Cheers, Luc

[Guy]

Hiya Felix,

As he is far too modest to blow his own trumpet I should perhaps say a few words. Felix is an advanced AAC collector and is also a historian. He has intimate ties to the regiment and much of his collection is veteran aquired. He speaks from a position of some authority regarding Air Corps items and will be an asset to the forum. He is also a very good friend.

Great to have you here mate, after lurking for years I didn't think you would ever wade in .

See you soon.

Yours, Guy.

[lnijherald]

Here are my latest AAC/GPR cap badges, the left one is converted to a brooch: